Deep Freeze Mac 2.0 helps administer Macs
updated 08:00 pm EST, Thu December 8, 2005
Deep Freeze Mac 2.0
Faronics released with ARD integration, its all-new edition of workstation administratin and security software for Mac OS X. The software allows administrators to offer a completely non-restrictive working environment for users where "there is no need to be concerned about system misconfiguration, corruption, or malicious damage to a Mac OS X system:" a simple restart eradicates all changes down to the last byte and ensures that the standard system configuration is available at all times, according to the company. "With Deep Freeze Mac, all changes to a machine are temporary for that working session, including the installation of new software, removal of programs, renaming or deleting files and folders, and application preference configuration." Pricing starts at near $30 near per CPU with discounts for education and more.
The software is designed to help reduce costs related IT and help administrators easily maintain multiple Macs and large unmonitored working environments. The sooftware protects multiple hard drives and partitions, offers options import or export of configuration information files to or from other Deep Freeze Controllers for deployment, and a Deep Freeze Assistant to create customized installation packages with pre-configured user names and passwords.
"Deep Freeze Mac Version 2.0 takes the core functionality and all the most useful features from Deep Freeze Standard and Enterprise for Windows and delivers them in the unique and familiar Macintosh style," said Brent Smithurst, Vice President of Technical Operations at Faronics. "All of the options can be configured on a per- workstation basis, and Enterprise-level deployment and control is available through Apple Remote Desktop."
The entire hard drive can be Frozen (protected by Deep Freeze)--including the root user account. LDAP, Active Directory, or Open Directory accounts can be used without limitation; user data can be saved to a network location, removable media such as a USB thumb drive, or a Thawed (unprotected by Deep Freeze) partition. Deep Freeze Mac ARD is compatible with Panther and Tiger platforms and is localized in in English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, and Japanese.
